Head Grower - Joe Produce | Produce Jobs, Produce Careers, Agriculture Jobs, Agriculture Careers

Head Grower

Job Description: 

Under the direction of the Greenhouse Manager, the Head Grower plans and oversees the planting, cultivation and harvesting of all produce and organic produce commodities grown by Lakeside Produce Inc. The Head Grower is a critical position that provides assistance and leadership aimed at helping Lakeside Produce Inc. achieve its organizational objectives.The Head Grower will tour the greenhouses often to check the health of plants and watch for signs of damage from human contact, structural contact, disease or pests. If pests or disease are found, the Head Grower must decide on the action to be taken. When pesticides or chemicals are used, the manager has the responsibility to oversee their use and to be certain they are disposed of properly. The Head Grower shall keep records of the day-to-day operations and coordinate labour requirements with the Greenhouse Labour Supervisor and Human Resources as required

The Head Grower reports to the Greenhouse Manager who will effectively manage the activities of all Growers, planning projects, scheduling work and completing tasks within specified timelines and on budget.The Head Grower will also undertake the research and analysis of horticultural problems, providing advanced technical support to all greenhouse personnel and management. Other duties will be assigned as necessary.

The Head Grower will have specific responsibilities for the mentoring of junior growers at Lakeside Produce Inc. Additionally under the direction of the President and/or Vice President Global Supply and together with the Greenhouse Manager he/she will be responsible for the selection and acquisition and propagating of all commodity seeds purchased by Lakeside Produce for growing purposes in all greenhouses. Further the Head Grower will be responsible for commodity mapping together with Global Supply.

Position Reports to: 
Farms Operations Manager
Compensation/Salary: 
DOE
Responsibilities & Duties: 

General Duties

  • Provide advanced technical guidance to Greenhouse personnel in the proper maintenance and care of all produce and organic produce grown by Lakeside Produce.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of new production plans.
  • Observe that Work Safe Practices are being followed.
  • Ensure all company, client, and project policies, procedures, standards, etc., are adhered to.
  • Provide appropriate levels of motivation for staff.
  • Resolve labor issues, and use appropriate levels of corrective actions.
  • Interpret policies as required.
  • Coordinate and participate in the planning and care of Greenhouse production.
  • Together with the Greenhouse Labour Supervisor: plan, coordinate and/or supervise activities of all company personnel on assigned project(s).
  • Ensure all company, food safety, client, and project policies, procedures, standards, etc., are adhered to.

Organic Crop Management  – Growing

  • Coordinate and participate in the planning and care of Organic Greenhouse production with the assistance of the Greenhouse Manager.
  • Instruct workers in cultivation requirements.
  • Apply pesticides and fungicides.
  • Apply seeds, plants and fertilizers as directed.
  • Inspect assigned areas for plant damage, disease.
  • Recommend corrective actions such as removal of plants or remedial treatments as appropriate.
  • Responsible for irrigation management which includes collecting and assessing daily water sheets
  • Responsible for submitting water samples, interpreting results and adjusting fertilizers accordingly
  • Inspect assigned greenhouse areas on a continuous daily basis; identify moisture requirements, the status of the plant product and possible challenges/issues and document observations.
  • Responsible for fertilizer room management including cleanliness, organization, checking levels of tanks and ensuring security of area.
  • Responsible for managing climate controls via computer, demands of various crop varieties and day to day adjustments when necessary due to weather/time of year/stage of crop.
  • Responsible for reporting pest and crop diseases to head grower an reacting with solutions for control or proactive for prevention.
  • Responsible for biological requirements as per data collected from bio scout, weekly visit from bio consultant, as well as hands on walking the row

Crop Management – Labour

  • Responsible for scheduling of crop work with Greenhouse Labour Supervisor
  • Responsible for monitoring that crop work is being completed in set time frames and done properly
  • Responsible for reporting any issues with assigned greenhouse labourers or quality of work to Greenhouse Labour Supervisor
  • Responsible for ensuring that employees using equipment appropriately and maintain equipment in good working order.

Production

  • Responsible for production and harvesting forecasting.
  • Responsible to work towards and achieve set harvest goals per crop.

Collaboration/Professional Development

  • Responsible to attend all scheduled grower meetings and crop consultant’s visits.
  • Responsible to ensure certificates are current and attend avenues for learning within field and networking.

Safety Responsibilities

  • Responsible to ensure Health & Safety programs are followed.
  • Responsible to ensure Food Safety policies are followed.

Training, & Supervision

  • Where required participate in the selection, hiring and training of new staff.
  • Together with the Greenhouse Labour Supervisor plan, coordinate and/or supervise activities of all company personnel on assigned project(s).
  • In the absence of the Greenhouse Labour Supervisor train and supervise the work of greenhouse labourers.

Record Keeping, Tool & Technology

  • Maintain field and project maintenance records as directed; prepare reports and analysis as requested by management.
  • Complete, maintain, and monitor accurate production records and departmental paper trail requirements with the assistance of the Assistant Controller.
  • Maintain all training paperwork for food safety and health and safety protocols and training as required. Ensuring that a full understanding and processes are all within compliance with USDA, FDA, CFIA, OHSA, ESA, DOT, MDOT, Human Rights Commission, and MOL, WSIB Communication.
  • Maintain constant and daily communication with other departments that require regular input from the greenhouses.
  • Communicate with external suppliers, labor workforces, consultants, when required when needed or under the guidance of the Greenhouse Manager.
  • Report and request work orders for all maintenance issues related to the greenhouse be it structural, equipment, heating, irrigation
  • Follow up on reports and requests made from other departments or ones that were self-administered.

Projects

  • Manage project activities throughout lifecycle, including the allocation of adequate resources, scheduling, documentation, budget, and other factors necessary for success.
  • Organize project teams into suitable workgroups and guide the teams throughout their efforts to produce deliverables according to specification.
  • Manage project dependencies.
  • Conduct project post mortems in order to identify areas for improvement; make recommendations based on findings.

Reporting Duties

  • Responsible for ensuring and reporting of reoccurring daily task checklists of department operations to appropriate management and other identified company employees as identified in department specific operations policies and procedures.
  • Responsible for the yearly review and reporting of department expectations, goals, and objectives as identified together with the Greenhouse Manager.
Education: 
  • High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent.
  • Diploma and/or Bachelor’s degree in Botany / Horticulture / Agriculture.
Skills: 
  • Good observation skills.
  • Some background in science and basic mathematical skills.
  • Highly effective negotiation, diplomatic, and conflict resolutions skills.
  • Able to effectively communicate with all types of staff, including labourers, technical, professional, and upper management.
  • Able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
  • Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with business units, corporate departments, key managers, and other stakeholders.
  • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft computer software (e.g. Excel, Word, etc.) and email and a willingness to learn
  • First Aid skills and/or certificates are considered assets.
  • Flexibility to adjust to shifting priorities and deadlines.
Qualifications: 
  • 2 years of direct work experience in horticulture.
  • A solid understanding of horticultural techniques.
  • Strong management, delegation, planning and leadership skills.
  • Effectiveness in safety and productivity.
  • Knowledge of local, provincial and federal workplace compliance regulations, ordinances and legislation.
  • Commitment to working in a team environment, with established team building abilities.
  • Strong communication, leadership, integration, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to participate in continuous improvement processes.
  • Ability to follow safe procedures for use of fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides.
  • Results-oriented individual with the ability to interpret and effectively manage multiple and competing priorities and time lines.
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise necessary cost control measures.
  • Possess a valid driver's license.
  • Must understand the applications of pesticides used and must be in possession of a valid application permit, also determine the most suitable product to apply and determine application rates
  • Must have the ability to diagnose crop needs and requirements, and act in a timely and correct manner to address all situations.
  • Must be a motivated self-starter and able to direct the work force in a productive manner from all planting through harvest situations.
  • Computer literate, proficient record keeper and familiar with all laws and regulations pertaining to greenhouse production and food safety matters.
  • Must be knowledgeable in nutrient management programs for assigned crops, diseases and pest control, ventilation, and in general monitoring the health of the plants under his/her direction.
  • Must be able to work as a member of the farms management team, and provide positive input in all growing decisions
  • Working knowledge of all types of boilers used on the farm; alarm systems; and ventilation equipment.

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